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THORNTON PEAK FALLS
RATING - 22.6

VR - 1.8 (Small)               HR - 7.0                  SR - 10/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Fairly Easy

LOCATION - Newhalem Area

TYPE - Tiered

HEIGHT - 300'

WIDTH - 15'

 Flowers at Thornton Peak FallsThornton Peak Falls occurs on an unnamed, but fairly impressive creek located one drainage east of Thornton Creek.  The stream tumbles down a steep series of drops and cascades, totaling around 300' in height.  From the base of the falls, only about 150' worth of waterfall can be seen easily and the rest sort of becomes lost due to foreshortening.  Those who like to climb rocks will have a good time scrambling up alongside the falls.  Copious amounts of moss and wildflowers along the edge of the creek add to the scene as well.  While not the best waterfall in the area, this one is pretty easy to get to and there's no reason for a waterfall fanatic to skip this one while in the area.
DIRECTIONS - Drive east along Highway 20 and turn left onto Thornton Creek Road about 3 miles before reaching Newhalem.  In about half a mile you'll see a large pullout on the right with a sign.  Park here but continue walking up the road for a few hundred feet to an overgrown road on the right.  Follow this road for 1/4 of a mile to the falls.  There is a little bit of bushwhacking right at the end, but it's nothing difficult.

NEARBY WATERFALLS - Big Devil Falls, Cross Valley Falls, Granite Gorge Falls, Ladder Creek Falls, Newhalem Falls, Swayel Falls, Upper Swayel Falls
ADDITIONAL PICTURES (CLICK TO ENLARGE) AND VIDEO
Looking up from the base on a wet day     Closer look at some of the upper section    

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